Propofol sedation in a pediatric intensive care unit: A retrospective pilot cohort study from a developing country

Abstract

Propofol is a sedative agent with a rapid onset and short duration of action. Its use in critically ill children remains limited, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The objective of this study was to describe preliminary observations of propofol infusion in a pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) in a developing country. We present a retrospective pilot cohort study of all patients receiving propofol between June 2022 and July 2024. Data included demographics, dosing, duration, concomitant therapies, and laboratory parameters. We describe thirty-one patients who received 39 infusions. Median maximum dose was 4.4 mg/kg/h (interquartile range [IQR] 3.5–5), and median duration was 7 days (IQR 3–9). All patients were mechanically ventilated. Approximately one-third required initiation or escalation of vasopressors after propofol initiation. No cases met the criteria for propofol infusion syndrome. This pilot study provides preliminary data on propofol use in a pediatric ICU in a resource-limited setting. Findings are exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Larger, prospective studies are needed to establish safety and effectiveness.